We love you ... unless we can trade you for something better ****
Yesterday afternoon, it came out that the Texas Rangers were listening on any deals for third baseman Michael Young. Not an entirely foreign ideal if you saw him man the hot corner ... or his contract. He's got three years and $48 million.
Two hours later, the Rangers came out of the woodworks and denied these rumors.
Two hours after that, the Colorado Rockies apparently knocked on the door trying to work out a trade. There, Young would've been moved back to second base.
Several hours later, it came down that the Rockies and Rangers couldn't work anything out or it wasn't really as serious as we thought and Young's still a Ranger. As much as I'd like to see Young move from third base, I think it would have backfired if he was traded right now.
For one, Young gone would've meant the Rangers go after Adrian Beltre, which would've been the worst move in TEXAS RANGERS HISTORY!
Two, it may have killed the clubhouse. Young's liked and looked up to in that clubhouse that is still really young (zing!), in need of direction and there's no clear-cut leader in that clubhouse with the veteran presence of Young. Even a guy like Vlad Guerrero doesn't carry a room quite like Young.
Three, Young still approached 200 hits, 100 runs, 100 RBI, almost 40 doubles and 20 home runs on an offense that sputtered at times. He's needed still.
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There were thoughts the Rangers are interested in Magglio Ordonez, Guerrero and Jim Thome. I assume for first base/DH duties.
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Yesterday afternoon, talks heated up between the Chicago Cubs that would have sent maligned first baseman Chris Davis and reliever Darren O'Day
The Rangers were apparently eyeing catcher Robinson Chirinos, a 26-year-old "prospect" who's been OK in Triple A. The other prospect was 22-year-old righty Rafael Dolis, who jumped to Double A this year and posted a 4.07 ERA.
However, the Cubs signed Carlos Pena, so any interest in this trade seems to be waning.
As for O'Day, I think the Rangers are looking to sell high with the hopes that some of these young guys in the system can pitch in the seventh and eighth innings. Essentially, they're waiting for the clock to strike midnight.
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As for Cliff Lee, two secret teams have apparently offered him seven years. These two teams don't appear to be the Rangers, New York Yankees, Washington Nationals and California Angels. The Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers have been mentioned. Thoughts are that no contender is giving him seven years.
Tim Cowlishaw thinks the Rangers should overpay in order to prevent Lee from going to the Yankees. This is the dumbest shit ever. Go ahead and overpay and when your hamstrung financially and have to trade him to the Yankees in three years, I guess that plan will backfire.
